Electric selector mechanism



Aug. 6, 1940. A NOXON ET AL I 2209,998

ELECTRIC SELECTOR MECHANISM Q Filed Oct. 10, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTORS P. A. NOXON BY J. l. MITCHELL RNEY 6 1940. .14. NOXON ET AL 2.209998 ELECTRIC SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 10, 1956 e Sheets-Sheef 2 CR5 P.A. NOXON BY J. l. MITCHELL ATT RNEY.

P. A. NOXON ET AL ELECTRIC SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 10, 1936 Aug. 6, 1940.

e Sheets-Sheet s ATTORN EY P. A. NOXON ET AL ELECTRIC SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 10, 1936 Aug. 6, 1940.

Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS P. A. NOXON J. l. MITCHELL ATT RNEY 1940- P. A. NOXON ET AL I 2.209.998

ELECTRIC SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 10, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 34 P.A.NOXON J. I. MITCHELL g- 6, 1940. P. A. NOXON ET AL 98 ELECTRIC SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 10, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Ill I89 INVENTORS P.A.NOXON BY J.i. MITCHELL (5 mm an.

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES ELECTRIC SELECTOR MECHANISM Paul A. Noxon, Bergenfield, N. J., and James I. Mitchell, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 10, 1936, Serial No. 105,102

15 Claims.

This invention relates primarily to electric selector mechanisms and more particularly to the type of selector mechanisms used for the selective control of telegraph receivers and like apparatus employing the Baudot code, i. e., one inwhich the character signals consist of two different line conditions, such as permutations of positive and negative impulses or current and no-current impulses extending throughout a definite number, usually five, time intervals or units. Such selector mechanisms usually comprise a set of selectors equal in number to the selecting intervals of the signalling code which are conditioned in various combinations in accordance with the received permutations of impulses. The novel features of the invention are particularly adaptable to the so-called start-stop or simplex systems, via, one in which a rotatable member or distributor of the telegraph receiver is kept in step or in synchronism with the incoming signals by a start and stop mechanism that initates the rotation of the rotatable member in response to a starting line condition, preceding each code group of impulses and arrests the rotation of the rotatable member in response to a stopping line condition following each code group of impulses or during thejinterval between successive code groups.

As is well known in the art, it is advantageous in all start-stop systems to provide means for orienting, which operation entails the changing or varying of the stop or rest position of the rotatable member to compensate for line and other conditions which may tend to vary the length and effectiveness of the start impulse so that the rotatable member is operative on the selectors during the midportion or most effective portion of respective signalling impulses. However, the practice of changing the rest position of the rotatable member also has many inherent disadvantages, the most obvious of which will be pointed out hereinafter. Besides cooperating in the positioning of the selectors, the rotatable member usually performs other auxiliary functions such as transferring the selection set up in the selectors to other elements, resetting the selectors and tripping off printing and letter spacing mechanisms, etc. Obviously, none of these functions should occur between the adjustable limits of the rotatable member and consequently the adjustability of the rest position of the rotatable member reduces the operating time of these auxiliary functions and crowds them together. Another disadvantage in thistype of orienting is that unless a separate adjustable start magnet is employed, a somewhat complicated linkage is required'between the selector magnet and the stop element wherein there is apt to be lost motion which reduces the operating margin of the selector mechanism.

Although an orienting mechanism for eliminating some of the above disadvantages is shown and described in this application, the same forms the subject matter of a co-pending application of P. A. Noxon entitled Telegraph orienting device," bearing Serial No. 223,384,.filed August 6, 1938, the latter application being a division of the present application.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a selector mechanism of simplified and novel design with few elements and capable of maximum efficiency at high speed operation.

Another object is to provide a selector mechanism with the maximum possible overlap between the selecting and printing operations without the storage of selected characters.

A still further object of this inventionis to provide a novel and improved control for the rotatable member associated with the selector mechanism.

These and other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter in conjunction with the detailed description and drawingsthereof and are particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown, is particularly adapted for use with and control of a typebar printer of the type fully disclosed in a copending application of P. A. Noxon et al., filed March 3, 1936, Ser. No. 66,906, and only such parts thereof will be shown and described herein as are thought necessary for a complete understanding of the invention. It is I evident, however, that the use of the selector is not limited to this particular type of receiver but is .readily adaptable'to various other types of receivers. r

As mentioned above, this selector mechanism is particularly adapted for use with the simplex or start-stop signalling code and employs five signalling impulses. As is well known, this signalling code comprises a start impulse of uniform line condition followed by the five signalling impulses in permutations of two different line conditions which in turn are followed by a rest impulse of a uniform line condition and opposite to that of the start impulse. The start and the five variable signalling impulses are of substantially uniform duration while the duration of the rest impulse is variable. Usually it is somewhat longer than anyv one-ofthe other impulses and its minimum length approaches the length of one of these impulses as the speed of the transmitting mechanism approaches its maximum.

The start-stop or orienting mechanism consists of two separate frictionally driven rotatable members, the first of which is released for rotation in response to the start condition, and the second, comprising the selector actuating members, which is released for rotation by manually adjustable means interposed between the first and second rotatable members. 1 Thus the time interval between the release of the first and second rotatable member is adjustable to compensate for variable starting impulses and the selector actuating members on the second rotatable member are allowed to cooperate with their respective selectors during the most effective portion of their associated signalling impulses. The selector mechanism consists of five selecting fingers which are caused to be successively raised in synchronism with the received impulses by the second rotatable member and are positioned to one side or the other of a knife in accordance with the position of the armature of the selector magnet at the time they are raised. The knife is then moved and actuates those selector fingers on one side thereof to operate associated latches. The latches in turn release associated notched selector bars which allow the selection of the typebar corresponding to the received signalling impulses. The second rotatable member performs other functions such as returning the knife and selecting fingers to normal and releasing the printing and line feeding mechanisms.

A more complete and thorough understanding of the invention may be had from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred em bodiment thereof, in which Fig. l. is a side elevational view of the hereinb-efore mentioned telegraph receiver to which the selector mechanism of the present invention is particularly applicable and shows the relative location of the selector mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the selector and the essential parts of the receiver necessary for a clear understanding of the invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and shows in addition a part of the printing mechanism of the receiver;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the orienting device and the selector magnet;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 99 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line lQ-li of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line H-H of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 12-42 of Fig. 3.

Referring first to Fig.1, a continuously rotating motor M supplies, through appropriate gearing and clutch mechanisms hereinafter described, all local power' for operating the receiver. The motor shaft 2!, Fig. 2, has on the best shown in Fig. 5.

forward end thereof a helical gear 22 which is adapted to mesh with another helical gear 23 located above. The helical gear 23 is fixed by screws 24 to a gear hub 26 which in turn is secured to an operating shaft El, for rotation therewith, by a screw 23. The operating shaft 21 extends substantially the width of the receiver and is journaled adjacent its left hand end as seen in Fig. 3, in a ball bearing 29 which is supported by a bearing post 3| and clamped in position by a bearing clamping member 32, The right hand end of operating shaft 2'! is similarly journaled in a ball bearing which is supported by a bearing post and clamped in position by a clamping member 33, only the clamping member 33 being shown in Fig. 2. Both bearing posts are secured to and supported by a plate 34 which comprises the base of the selecting and printing mechanisms and also serves as a support for various other elements.

The operating shaft 2'! and the elements thereon will now be described and throughout the description various sections of the. operating shaft will be referred to as sections 21a, 211), etc. Beferring to Fig. 3, a normally at rest operating cam sleeve 36 is loosely mounted on a section 2111 of the operating shaft 2? abutting at its right hand end a collar 27b integral with the shaft 21. The right end of the sleeve 36 is threaded and has nuts 37 threaded thereon which clamp a print cam 38 against a flange 39 of the sleeve for rotation therewith. An-

other flange M, extending radially from adjacent and is operatively engaged with the left hand end of the collar 42, by means of interengaging tongues 41 and grooves 48, shown in clotted outline in Fig. 3, formed on and in the collars 42 and 46 respectively. Thus the collar 6 is rotatable with the sleeve 36 but is slidable along the sleeve by means hereinafter described to' bring teeth 49 disposed on the left hand face thereof into or out of engagement with similar teeth 5! disposed on the right hand face of a disc member 52.

A section 210 of the operating shaft 21 is threaded and has a disc 54 threaded thereon, which clamps the inner race 58 of the ball bear ing unit and the disc 52 together and against the larger section 27a of the operating shaft. A look nut 53 prevents loosening of the assembly. Thus the discs 52 and 54 are rotatable with the operating shaft 21. The disc 52 is also keyed to the shaft 21 to insure its rotation therewith.

A selector cam sleeve 57 loosely mounted on the section 21d of the operating shaft 21 has a hub 58 on the right hand end thereof which is recessed and extends over the threaded member 53 and abuts against the left hand face of the disc 54. Extending horizontally from the left spring 63 surrounds the segments 62 and holds the inner surfaces thereof 'frictionally engaged with the outer surface of the hubEB of the stop arm 66, a cam 61, a series of five selector,

operating cams 68a to 68c, aselecting finger transfer cam 69 and a trip cam II for controlling the printing, line feeding, etc., mechanisms; intermediate with spacers I2. All these came and spacers are clamped together and against the shoulder 58a of the sleeve by a nut 94 in threaded engagement withthe threaded left hand portion of the sleeve 57. Thus all the cams are rotatable with the sleeve 5?. The operation of these cams and stop arm fifi on the sleeve '51 will be hereinafter described.

A third sleeve hereinafter referred to as the pilot sleeve is loosely mounted adjacent the left hand end of the operating shaft 27. A pilot sleeve stop arm 19' and a selector sleeve trip cam 19 are clamped against a flange 76 of the pilot sleeve I4 for rotation therewith,.by' a nut H in threaded engagementwith the threaded right hand end of sleeve 14. The left-hand end of the pilot sleeveabuts a, collar 8| which is secured by a screw 82 to the operating shaft 21 for rota tion therewith. Extending horizontallyfrom the right hand face ofthe flange of the collar BI are a series of three pins 33 which are engaged in radial slots in three Bakelite segments 34. A circular coiled radially contractible spring- 96 surrounds the three segments and frictionally engages the inner surfaces thereof with the outer circumference of a section of the pilot sleeve 14- to the left of the flange I6; The segments 84, substantially similar to the segments BZ-onthe selector cam sleeve 51, serve as a friction clutch for rotating the pilot sleeve 14.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and '7 the arrange ment of the selector magnet will now be described. A selector magnet mounting bracket 81 is secured to the front left hand corner section of the base plate 34 by screws88. Extending opwardly from the bracket 81 are two supports 99 and 9| into which are threadedtwo hollow ended screws 92. Extending horizontally between the two screws and pivotally supported thereby 'is a selector armature pivot rod 93. Pivotally mocha ed on shoulders on the inner ends of the screws 92 is a substantially U-shaped selector agnet mounting cradle 94 which is secured thereto by screws 96 a magnet yoke 91 and the two coils or a selector magnet 98. A spring 99 attached to the cradle 94 and the base plate 34 tends to pull the cradle" and selector magnet 98 in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 7. A threaded stud IIlI extending vertically from the baseplate 34 passes through a slotted hole I92 in afiathori zontal section I93 of the cradle 94. An adjusting thumb nut I04 and a lock nut lot therefor are threaded on the stud IOI and serve as a means for adjusting the position of the cradle :94 and the selector magnet 98, whereby the magnetic air gap between the pole pieces of the magnet and the armatureis varied. I

Secured to the armature pivotrod 93 and-pivotable therewith is anarmature III! whichhas three extensions 108, 1 09 and l l I. The section I98 or the armature extends downward and has riveted thereto a magnet plate H2 in operative rel'ation'with the pole pieces of the magnets 98. The right'wardly extending projection I II of the 'armaturercoacts with the selectors as will be hereinafter. described to cause their selective po-v sitioning. Thesubst'antially vertical section I99 of the armature has secured thereto by a screw H3 a pilot-sleeve stop arm striking plate II4. A slot I I6 in-the striking plate through which the screw 2 H3 extendspermits relative adjustment between the armature extension I09 and the striking-plate H 4 to'vary its engagement with the stop arm I8. With the selector magnet 98 energized, which is'its normalxcondition, the hoof the striking plate 'I I4'-is in the path of and'engaged with the-endof the pilot sleeve stop arm l8 and thereby-normally arrests vthe rotation'of the pilot sleeve I4. Whenthe magnet 93 is deenergiz'ed a spring II 'I securedto a. pin 8 in thefarmature extension I99an'd to an adjusting screw H9, rocks the armature I91 in a clockwise directionafnd withdraws the striking plate It 4 outof engagement with the stop arm I3. Thepilot sleeve -74 is thereupon free to rotate with the shaft z'l'as will be hereinafter described.

The adjustingscrew I I9 is supported in the selector 'magnetcradle 94 and hasa lock nut I2! forlocking it'i'n its adjusted position. An adjusting screw I22 is supported in thebracket 81 and is so adjusted that its head serves 'as a stop for.

the magnet plate" I I2 when the magnet 99 is energized; Two other adjusting screws I23 and I24, supported adjacent the end "of the section 9I,'are engageahie with the extension I I8 of the armature and limit its movement; Both screws I24 and I22 are employed to limit. the armature in its energized position, otherwise there would apt tobe bending or "whip inth'e comparatively long and'light armature extension II I, the 'move- 7 ment of which inust be accurately adjusted be;

tween comparativelysmall limits.

-Secured*to thebase plate 34 at'theleft of the operating shaft 21 asseen inFig. '7,is an-orientation plate I2-6.-v Thefront side'of the orienta tion plate I26" has a radial scale I21 "etch-ed or stamped there'onand a curved slot I28, the radius of curvature of which is'equal to the distance therefrom to the center of the operating shaft 21 and whose center coincideswith that ofs'haft 21. Attached to the horizontal top section of the orientation plate I29 by screws 129 "andex tending downward therefrom is a bracket 'I3I. A shoulder screw I32 shown dotted in Fig. 2 inthe lower end of the bracket I3I has pivoted thereon a lever I33 which extends beneath the operating shaft 21. Another shoulder screw I34, Figs. 2 and 7, extends through the curved slot I23 in the plate I26 and pivotally supports'a lever 139. This lever I36, similar to the lever I33, is pivoted I adjacent its'left hand end as seen in Fig. 7 and extends beneath the operating shaft '2? randthe two levers "cooperate with one another to cause the releaseof the selector cam sleeve 5? as'will be hereinafter described. The shoulder screw I34 has threaded on the front end thereof a thumb nut I37 which clamps the screw [34in its adjusted position in the curved slot-129; An indicating member I38 movable with the screw 434 cooperateswith the scale I21 to indicate the relatively adjusted positions of the screw I34. A stud I39 in the right hand end ofithe lever I36 pivotally supports two rollers I49 and I 4 I ,L Fig. '3. The-roller I49 is inoperative relation with the selector sleeve trip cam 19"211113119101113111'4I, is

in operative relation with a curved right hand section I42 of the lever I33. A spring I43 secured to the horizontal top section of the orienting plate I26 and the lever I33 holds the section I42 of the lever I 33 in contact with the roller MI. and as the rollers I40 and MI are on a common stud I39, the spring I43 acts to hold the roller I40 in contact with the periphery of the selector sleeve trip cam 19. A curved projection I44, Figs. 2, 3 and 7, extending from the lever I33 normally has the end thereof engaged with the end of the selector sleeve stop arm 66 and thereby keeps the selector sleeve 51 and its attached elements from rotating. Shortly after the pilot sleeve 14 is released for rotation in response to the start impulse which is a no-current interval and causes the deenergization of the magnet 98 as hereinbefore described, the hump section of the selector sleeve trip cam 19 operatively engages the roller I40 and forces it downward causing a clockwise pivoting movement, as seen in Fig. 7, of the lever I36 about the shoulder screw I34. As the rollers I40 and MI are on a common stud I39, they will move down together and in so doing the roller I4I causes the lever I33 to pivot in a clockwise direction about its mounting screw I32. As the lever I33 thus pivots, the projection I44 and the selector sleeve stop arm 66 are disengaged whereupon the selector sleeve 51 is free to rotate with the main operating shaft 21 through the action of the friction clutch comprising the friction members 62 hereinbefore described. Thus the selector sleeve 51 is released for rotation in adjustable timed relation to every group of code combinations received on the selector magnet 98.

The upper surface of the section I42 of the lever I33 is concave with a radius of curvature equal to the diameter of the roller I4I plus the normal radius of the selector sleeve trip cam 19. Thus it is evident that as the left hand end of the lever I36, which has the screw I34 and thumb nut I31 attached thereto, is moved within the limits of the curved slot I28, the roller I40 will roll about a section of the selector sleeve trip cam 19 and the roller I4I will roll in the concaved section I42 of the lever I33. Throughout the adjustable position of the lever I36 the roller I40 is not engageable with the hump section of the selector sleeve trip cam 19 and therefore while the lever I36 is being adjusted there will be no movement of the lever I33 due to the adjusting of the lever I36 and the projection I44 thereof will remain engaged with the selector sleeve stop arm 66. Thus it is evident that by adjusting the left hand end of the lever I36, the rollers I40 and MI move in an are about the operating shaft 21 and the amount of rotation of the pilot sleeve-14 from its normal rest position necessary to cause the release of the selector sleeve 51 is varied. This compensates for the variable lengths of the start impulses due to line and other conditions and allows the selecting cams 68a to 68c to be operatively associated with their respective elements during the most eifective portion of their respective signals as will be hereinafter described. The adjustment of the lever I36 can be made equally well with the selector mechanism in operation or at rest.

It can be seen from the above that the time of release of the selector cam sleeve 51 with respect to the received impulses is varied without changing the rest position of said cam sleeve. Therefore, the operations performed by the selector cam sleeve 51 can be distributed substantially throughoutits complete rotation.

The speed of rotation of the shaft 21 is such with respect to the incoming line signals that the pilot sleeve 14 will complete a revolution While the rest impulse of the code combination that caused its release is being received on the selector magnet 98. This rest impulse energizes the magnet 98 and causes the striking plate H4 to be in the path of the pilot sleeve stop arm 18. When the stop arm 18 engages the striking plate I I4, the rotation of the pilot sleeve is stopped and it remains at rest during the remainder of the rest impulse or until the start impulse of the following code combination of impulses. As the selector cam sleeve 51 and the pilot sleeve 14 rotate at the same speed, the selector cam sleeve 51 will be brought to rest at the completion of every revolution for a length of time equal to the time the pilot sleeve is at rest. However, with the code combinations of impulses being received in a continuous succession, the two sleeves are not at rest at the same time, since the pilot sleeve rotates a substantial amount before it causes the release of the selector cam sleeve.

From the above described arrangement of a pilot sleeve 14 and a selecting cam sleeve 51 it is apparent that the frictional force tending to rotate the pilot sleeve may be comparatively small. With a small frictional force tending to rotate the pilot sleeve 14, the striking plate II4, Fig, '7, may be more easily withdrawn from engagement with the pilot sleeve stop arm 18 and therefore the amount of work performed by the armature of the selecting magnet 98 to initiate the operation of the selector mechanism is reduced, which feature is another advantage of the above arrangement and very helpful when the selector is operating on weak signalling impulses. Furthermore, on receipt of any spacing selecting impulses, the armature is free from the starting load.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 8, 9 and 10, a bracket I46 is secured to the base 34 by screws I41 in front of the operating shaft 21 and substantially opposite the selector cam sleeve 51 and at a right angle to its axis. Extendinghorizontally from the vertical section of the bracket I46 are a series of studs and posts on which are pivoted and mounted the selecting elements. Figsr8, 9 and 10 are sectional views taken progressively along the selector camsleeve 51 and show the manner in which the various selector elements cooperate with the cam sleeve.

Supported on three studs I48, I49 and I5I extending horizontally from the bracket I46 and parallel to the operating shaft 21 are a series of guide plates I52. In order to more clearly illustrate the elements of the selector mechanism, the guide plates I52 are not shown in Figs. 9 and 10 but the arrangement thereof can readily be seen in Figs. 3 and 8. A series of collars or spacers I53 are located on the studs I48, I49 and I5l between the guide plates I52 and serve to space the guide plates along the studs. Nuts I54 in threaded engagement with the ends of the studs clamp the guide plates I52 and spacers I53 to-. gether. A series of five selector levers indicated in general at I56 in Fig. 9 are pivotally supported on the spacers I53. on the stud I48. The selector levers I56 are slightly thinner than the spacers I53 which permits free movement thereof between the guide plates I52. The left hand end I55, as seen in Fig. 9, of each of the selector levers I56 is in operative relation with one of the selector operating cams 68a to 688, each cam having an associated lever. The right hand end of each sethe levers ina clockwise direction and holds the left hand end. I55 of each lever engaged with its associated cam 68. The other ends of the spring I59 are secured to posts I6I. Another set of springs I62 areattached to the selecting fingers I51 and tend to pivot them in a clockwise direction. Each selecting finger I51 has an associated spring I62 and thefixed ends of the springs I62 7 are secured to posts I63.

Pivoted on a spacer I53 on the stud I49 between the first and second guide plates I52 and in front of the selector levers I56, as seen in. Figs.

8 and 9, is a bell crank I64. Extending hori-.

zontally toward the rear from the. upper part of the substantially vertical arm of the bell crank I64. isla section I66 against which the selecting fingers I51 are normally held by their attached springs I62. A spring I61 attached to the bell crank I64 and the post I63,-tends to rock the bell crank' in a clockwise direction and normally holds the section I68 at the upper end thereof against the end of an adjusting screw I69 which is supported, in the; bracket I46. Another bell crank lever "I is adjustably secured, by means of a screw I12 and pin I13 to. the. leftwardly extending arm of the bell crank I64. The upper section of 1 the bell crank I II is in operative relation with the cam 61 on the selector cam sleeve 51.- A section I14 at the left of bell crank I64 extends upward and between the first. two guide plates I52 and serves to keep the bell crank "I in alignment 1 with its associated cam 61,

A lever I16 best shown in Fig. ispivoted at its left hand end on a spacer I53 on the stud I48 behind the selector levers I56. The right hand end of the lever I16 rests on an angle bracket I11 secured to the bracket I46. A pin I18 on the lever I16 pivotally supports a bell crank I19,

the left hand'end of which pivotally carries a roller cam follower I8! which is in operative relation with the hereinbefore mentioned selecting finger transfer cam 69. A guide plate I82 is attached to the bracket I46 by screws I83, Fig. 3, and has a slot I84 therein which guides the left hand end. of the bell crank I19 to keep the cam follower I8! in alignment with its associated cam 69. Supported at its lower. end on the pin I18, Fig. 10, is a knife arm I86 which is adapted to pivot with the bell crank I19. The knife. arm I 85 and bell crank I19 are adjustably secured to one another by a screw I81 extending through'an elongated slot I88 in the. bell crank I18 and threaded into the knife arm. The right hand end of the knife arm I86 has a vertical knife section I89 which is parallel to the operating shaft 21 and is located a little to the left and above the upper ends of the selecting fingers I51, in their normal or unoperated positions. attached to the knife arm I86 and the bracket I46 tends to pivot the knife arm and bell crank I19 in a clockwise direction and keeps the cam follower I8I engaged with, its associated cam 69. A section I92 of the bracket I46 is bent horizontally and has a slot I93 therein which guides the bell crank I19 and knife arm I86.

The operation of the selector cam sleeve 51 and its associated elements will now be described. .In

A spring I9I general the. selecting operation consists of threev sub operations which are as follows: first, successively raising the selecting fingers I51 in timed relation with received signaling impulses'and selectively positioning the upper ends thereof to one side or the other of the knife section I89 in accordance with the received signaling impulses; second, the transfer operation which is performed by movement of the knife section I89 which causes the selecting fingers I51 on one'side thereof totrip. associated latches which normally latch associated permutation bars in anormal position; and third. the reset of the knife section I89 and. selecting fingers to normal.

In F g. 8' the selector cam sleeve 51 and its associated elements are shown in their rest or normal position, and in Figs. 9 and 10 some of the elements and the cam sleeve 51 are shown in their operated position. The rotation of the cam sleeve 51 isinitiated as hereinbefore described by the pilot sleeve 14, Fig. 3, an adjustable length of time after the receipt of the start impulse so that the selector cams 68a to 686 are effective to cooperate with associated selecting'elements to selectively position the same during the midportion or most effective'portions of respective signaling impulses. Concomitantly with the release of the cam sleeve 51 the selector magnet 98. Fig. 7, causes the selector armature I81 and extension 'I II to be positioned in accordance with they first signaling impulse, and a sufficient length of time thereafter to insure the proper positioning of the armature extension III, the first selecting can-168a. rotates into engagement with the projection I55, Figs; 8 to 10, on its associated selector lever I56. If the first signaling impulse is a spacing or openv line condition, the armature I91 will remain in the same position as it was moved to by the spacing start impulse. If the first signaling impulse is a marking or a closed line condition, the magnet 98v will be energized and causes the armature I01 to be markingly positioned. In Fig. '1 the'armature I81 and extension I I I are. shown in their marking position. In,

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 a section of the armature extension III is shown by full lines in its marking position and by a dot-dashed outline thereof in its spacing position as it is positioned in response to and in accordance with marking and spacing or closed and open line conditions respectively.

The operation of the first two associated selecting cams 68a and 6811, the first two selector levers I56 and the first two selecting fingers I51 will now be described, the first selecting impulse being assumed tobe marking and the second spacing in nature.

As the selector cam 68a engages the projection I55 of its associated selector lever I56, it causes the lever to pivot in a counter clockwise direction, as seen in Figs. 8 to 10, about the stud I48 upon which it is mounted. The pivoting movement of the first lever I56 causes its associated selecting finger I51 which is articulated thereto at its lower end to rise with substantially a vertical and linear movement. It will be noted that, as shown in Fig. 8 with the selecting fingers I51 in their normal or rest position, the upper ends thereof area little tothe right and a little below the lower edge of the knife or knife section I89. The upper end of each selecting finger I51 has a beveled section I96 which slopes toward the right and the knife I89 has the lower edge section I91 beveled toward thevleft. As the first impulse is assumed to be marking. the armature extension I II will be in its marking position during the upward movement of the first selecting finger I 51, and as the selecting finger rises a beveled projection I98 on the right hand side and adjacent the upper end thereof engages with the armature extension III. This engagement of the projection I98 and the armature extension I II causes a slight pivoting movement in a counterclockwise direction of the selecting finger I51 which is sufiicient to bring the beveled surface I96 on the upper end thereof beneath the beveled surface I91 on the lower edge of the knife section I89. Further upward movement of the selecting finger I51 then causes the beveled surfaces I96 and I91 to engage and the selecting finger to be positioned to the left of the knife section I89 as shown in Fig. 10, which position is the marking position of a selecting finger I51. The first selecting finger I51 thereupon remains in this position until returned near the end of the revolution of the selector cam sleeve 51, to its normal position, as will be hereinafter described. An angle member I99 adjustably secured to the upper section of the knife arm I86 by a screw 20I has a horizontal section 282 which extends parallel to the knife section I89 and a little to the left thereof. The purpose of the section 292 is to prevent overthrow of the selecting fingers I 51 as they are being markingly positioned which would cause premature tripping of hereinafter rnentioned associated latches.

After the positioning of the first selecting finger I51 the armature I91 and the armature extension I I I are positioned in accordance with the second selecting impulse and as this impulse is assumed to be a spacing impulse, the armature extension III will be moved to its spacing position, following which the high part of the second selector cam 68b starts to engage the end I55 of the second selector lever I56. This causes the second selector lever I56 to pivot about its mounting point in a counter clockwise direction and in so doing raises its associated selecting finger I51. With the armature extension II I in its spacing position, the beveled projection I98 and the armature extension will not engage as the second selecting finger I51 rises. Thus the second selecting finger I51 slides upward on the section I66 of the bell crank I64 and the upper end thereof passes to the right of the knife section I89 as shown in Fig. 9, which position is the spacing position of a selecting finger I51. The second selecting finger I51 will remain in its spacing position until it is returned to normal as will be hereinafter described.

In a similar manner the third,'fourth and fifth selecting fingers I51 are successively markingly or spacingly positioned to the right or left, respectively, of the knife section I89 in accordance with the positioning of armature extension I II in response to the received marking and spacing selecting impulses.

The purpose of pivoting the bell crank I19 on the pin I18 in the lever I16 instead of on a fixed stud will be apparent from the following. Under normal operating conditions the lever I16 remains stationary but in the event that the tip end of one of the selecting fingers I51 in rising becomes engaged with the knife section I89 and is blocked thereat, the above arrangement allows the selecting finger to cause the bell crank I19 and lever I16 to pivot about the .stud I48. When the selecting finger is subsequently lowered at the end of the signal as hereinafter described, the end of the finger and the knife will be disengaged. If the pin I18 were: fixed, jam-1 ming might occur, thereby tying up the recorder. Obviously, when a selecting finger I51 causes the bell crank I19 and the lever I16 to pivot, a Wrong selection is likely to be made or a complete selection dropped out, but this is preferable to having the recorder jam and hence possibly out of service for an indefinite length of time.

After the selective positioning of the selecting fingers I51 to the right and left of the knife section I 99, the next function of the selector mechanism is the transfer operation. This function is performed by movement of the knife section I89 and only the selecting fingers I51 on the left hand side of this knife section enter into the transfer function. Shortly after the fifth selecting finger I51 has been selectively positioned, the high part of the transfer cam 69, best shown in Fig. 10, comes into engagement with the cam follower I8! at the left hand end of the bell crank I19 and causes the bell crank and knife section 589 attached thereto to pivot in a counter clockwise direction about the pin I18 in the lever I16. As the knife section I89 moves to the left, all the selecting fingers that have been positioned on the left hand side thereof are pivoted a slight amount in a counter clockwise direction. Some or all or none of the selecting fingers I51 may be to the left of the knife section I89, their position depending on the received impulses as hereinbefore described. As the selecting fingers I51 are pivoted to the left by the movement of the knife section, individual projections 293 formed on the upper left hand sides of the selecting fingers engageassociated latches 294 to trip them, as will be hereinafter described. During the time that the knife section I89 holds the markingly positioned selecting fingers I51 to the left, the high part of the cam 61, Fig. 9, comes into operative relation with the upper end of the bell crank HI and causes it and the attached bell crank I64 to pivot in a counter clockwise direction about the stud I49. As the bell crank I64 pivots, the section I66 thereof rocks all the spacingly positioned selecting fingers I51 in a counter clockwise direction. The pivoting movement of the spacingly positioned selective fingers is not sufiicient, however, to cause their projections 203 to trip their associated latches and while the spacingly and markingly positioned selecting fingers I51 are thus held to the left by the bell crank I64 and the knife section I 89 respectively, the section I55 of eachselector lever I56 simultaneously passes out of operative relation with the high part of their associated selector cams 68a to 686. Thereupon the springs I59 are effective to rock the selector levers I56 in a clockwise direction back into their normal position. This consequently causes the lowering of the selecting fingers I51 and as the fingers move downward those on the left of the knife section I89 clear it and their attached springs I62 pull them to the right into contact with the section I66 of the bell crank I64. Each of the selector cams 68a to 686 comprises a forward face 01' rise, which actuates its associated selector, a concentric face which serves to hold the selector levers elevated and a drop or rear face which permits the return movement of the selector levers. The rises or forward faces of the cams are-offset in the direction of rotation, as shown in Fig. 8, so as to cause successive engagement thereof with the selectors I56 to elevate the selector fingers I51 in succession but the drops or rear faces of the cams 68a to 686 terminate at the same angular position so that the therefor.

selector levers are restored to normal simultaneously. The drops or rear faces of these cams 68a to 68c are arranged relative to the rise of cam 6! so that while the selecting fingers l5! are moving downward, the bell crankl64 is rocked in a counter clockwise direction to its extreme position. The function of the bell crank I64 is to rock all the selecting fingers I57 which were spacingly positioned to the left so that as they and the markingly positioned selecting fingers are lowered, the beveled projections I08 thereon will not engage the armature extension I I I if the armature extension should happen to be in its marking position. After the selecting fingers I51 are lowered, the bell crank I64 pivots in a clockwise direction and allows all the fingers-to pivot to the right into their normal position concomitantly with the return of the knife section I89 to its normal position. Just before the selector cam sleeve 5'! completes a revolution, the cam ll, Figs. 5 and 8, engages an arm 206 of a trip 1ever20l to initiate the operation of the operating cam sleeve 36 as will be hereinafter described. As stated above, the speed of rotation of the shaft 2! is such with respect to the signalling impulses that the selector cam. sleeve 51 completes a revolution in less time than is required for the receipt of a complete code combination and it is brought to rest at the completion of every revolution by engagement of its stop arm 66 with the projection I44 of lever I33. Thus the complete selector ,mechanism is returned to normal ready for the next selective operation.

An inverted U-shaped member 208, Figs. 2, 6 and 11, is secured to the top front section of the base plate 34 and has a stud 200 extending vertically from the top left hand section thereof. The stud 209 has thereon a series of washers 2 H and bushings 2|2 which are clamped together by nuts 2l3 in threaded engagement with the end of the stud. Pivotally supported on the bushings 2 l2 are the heretofore mentioned latches 204 and as they are slightly thinner than the bushings, they are freely pivotable thereon. Two screws 2M, Figs. 2 and 6, extending vertically from the bracket 208, clamp a series of bushings 2l6 and spacers 2|! to the top of the bracket. On the bushings M6 and between the spacers 2" are a series of five individually notched selector or permutation bars 218. Each selector bar 2? has elongated slots 2|9 therein and are thereby adapted to slide transversely of the machine with the bushings 2 l 6 and spacers 2 i1 serving as guides Their normal position is-to the right as seen in Fig. 2 and they are normally held there by the right hand end of the latches 204 engaging surfaces 225 of the selector bars 2l8. Each selector bar 2H3 has an associated latch 204. Five single wire springs 22! have an end of each engaged in V-shaped notches in the ends of the selector bars H0 and tend to slide the bars to the left. The other ends of the springs are supported in a block 222 adjustably secured to a vertical flange of the bracket 208. .Each of the selector bars 2H3 has formed on the front edge thereof a series of notches 223 and as is well known in the art, the arrangement of the notches in each bar is in accordance with the predetermined code.

An angle bracket 224 secured to the top of the bracket 203 has adjustably secured thereto a block 226 in which are located one end of five single wire springs 221. The other ends of the springs 22] engage grooves in an arm of thev latches 204. Each latch 204 has anassociated lever 201 and'the bracket 23I tends to spring 22'! which tends to pivot it in a counter clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2, and normally holds the right hand of each latch in engagement with-the surface 22] on its associated selector bar 2|8.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, let it be assumed that the first, fourth and fifth of the selecting fingers I51, from the front, are selectively positioned to the left of the knife section E00, then as the knife section moves to the left, the projections 203 of these fingers will engage the ends of their associated latches 204. As the projections 203 are at different heights, the lowest beingat therear, as seen in Fig. 8, and the left hand ends of the latches 204 being of different lengths, as clearly shown in Fig. 11, the first, fourth and fifth of the latches from the top will be actuated as the knife section I89 actuates the selected selecting fingers l5l. The actuated latches 204 in turn unlatch their associated selector bars 213 the first, fourth and fifth from the top as shown in Fig. 6, and allow their associated springs 22! to slide them to'the left. Thus the selector bars 2! are selectively positioned in a combination which corresponds to the selective position of the selecting fingers I51.

Referring now to Figs. 2,3, 5 and 8, a bracket 23! is attached to the bearing post 3| by screws The bracket 23l supports arod 233 upon which, is pivotally mounted the above mentioned trip lever 201. Collars 234 pinned to the rod 233 prevent the trip lever 201 from moving longitudinally thereon. A spring 236 attached to the trip pivot the trip lever and normally keeps a depending arm 237, Figs. 3 and'5, thereof in contact with the periphery of the collar 46. Formed on the periphery of the collar 46 is a side cam surface 238, shown dotted in Fig. 3, which is adapted to cooperate with the end of thedepending arm 231, to normally hold the collar 46 to the right with its teeth 49 out of engagement with the teeth 5! on the collar 52. When the trip lever 20! is actuated as hereinbefore described near the end of a revolution of the selector cam sleeve 51 by the engagement of the cam H and the arm 206, the side cam. surface 238 and the depending arm 23'! are disengaged. Thereupon a spring 239 coiled about the collar 42 and disposed between the flange 44 on the collar 42 and the collar 46 forces the collar 46 to the left and allows its teeth 49 to engage the teeth 5| of the collar 52. The col1ar'52 is constantly rotating with the shaft 21 as hereinbefore described and therefore upon engagement of the teeth 5| and 49 the collar 46 P will rotate with the shaft 21 and as the operating cam sleeve 36- is operatively engaged with the collar 46 at all times, it also will rotate with the shaft 21. As soon as the cam ll passes out of engageme'nt with the arm 206, the spring 236 returns the trip lever 201 to its normal position and the end of the depending arm 23'! rides upon the periphery of the collar 46 and in the path of the side cam surface 238. Near the end of a revolution of the collar 46 and operating cam sleeve 36, the side cam surface 238 and the end of the depending arm 231 engage and force the collar 46 to the right. This brings its teeth 49 out of engagement with the teeth 5! on the constantly rotating collar 52. A further section of the side cam surface 238 then engages the extreme end of the depending arm 231 and brings the collar 46 and operating cam sleeve 36 to a stop in'their normal rest position. A horizontal hooked lever 24L Figs. 2 and 3, pivoted on a bracket 242 secured tothe base -34 engages with a side cam 243 formed on the flange 44 of the collar 42 and prevents rebound or rotation ma reverse direction of the operating cam sleeve 36 due to its sudden stop by the arm 23? and the side cam surface 238. The lever- 24! also bears .against the side of the flange M during rotation thereof, thus putting a load or drag on the sleeve .36, whereby its starting movement is retarded until positive engagement of the teeth 49 and 5| of its driving clutch occurs. I

A brief description of the operation of the operating cam sleeve 36 will now be given and reference is made to the hereinbefore mentioned copending application of Noxon'et al. Ser. No. 66,906 which completely shows and. describes the recorder with which this modification of the selector mechanism is particularly'adapted to cooperate and control.

After the operating cam sleeve 36 has rotated about a quarter of a revolution, the drop-in-cam 44 operates a bail member 244, Figs. 4 and 6, to allow a series of drop-in-bars 246 to approach the notches in the selector bars 2E8, With the selector bars 218 selectively positioned as hereinbefore described, a notch 223 in each bar will be in alignment with a notch ineach of the other bars. Therefore, as the drop-in-bars 24$ approach the selector bars 253, the one opposite the aligned row of notches will be permitted to travel further than the others. The extra travel of the thus selected drop-in-bar 2% causes it to engage an associated hook 2 3'; and thereby place the hook in the path of aprint bail 2 38 which is controlled by the print cam 38 and a spring 249. Following the operation of a hook 241, the print bail 2 38 engages the operated hook and by means of the movement thereofthrough appropriate linkages causes a typeb-ar to be operatively actuated or various other printer functions to be performed according to which dropin-bar 246 was selected by the row of aligned notches in the selector bars 2N. On the return of the print bail 243 to normal, a hook member L Figs. 2 and 4, operates a letter space feeding mechanism, part of which is shown and indicated in general by the reference numeral 252. After the engagement of the print bail 248 with a selected hook 24'! and the return of the dropin-bars 246 to normal, the selector bars 203 are returned to normal. This function is performed by a lever 253, Fig. 2, which is pivoted on a screw 254 extending vertically from the top of the bracket 208. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the rear end of the lever 253 is in operative relation with the side cam 243 and the front end adjustably carries a member 255 which is in operative relation with a series of lugs 257 on the rear of the selector bars 2E8. When the side cam 243 engages the lever 253, itpivots in a counterclockwise direction and the member 255 engages the lugs 25'! of all the selectors 2H3 that are to the left in a selected position and moves them to the right. The selector bars 2l8 thus moved are thereupon latched in their normal position by their associated latches 204.

Although this invention is shown and described in conjunction with a typebar recorder operating on a five unit code, it is obvious, of course, that it may be adapted to control other types of recorders using either the same or a different number of selecting conditions, and that various other modifications of the apparatus shown herein may be made without departing from the spirit or essential attributes :of the invention,

and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art or are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a selecting mechanism, a set of selecting fingers having a plurality of paths of motion, an electro-magnet, means for successively initiating said selecting fingers into a first path of motion, means employing said electro-magnet for interfering with the movement of said fingers in saidfirst path of motion and thereby compel the movement thereof into a second path of motion in accordance With received code combinations of impulses, a recording mechanism. and means for simultaneously actuating said fingers actuated in said second path of motion in a third path of motion to selectively control said recording mechanism.

2. In a selecting mechanism, a plurality of selectors having a normal position, an unselected operated position and a selected. operated position, a plurality of pivoted selector actuators equal in number to the number of selectors for invariably and successively actuating said selectors from a normal position to a selected or unselected operated position and maintaining said selectors in said positions, an electro-magnet and means controlled by said electro-magnet for initiating the movement of said selectors into only one of said operated positions in accordance with received code combinations of impulses.

3. In a selecting mechanism, a plurality of selectors having a normal position, an unselected operated position and a selected operated position,apluralityof selector actuators equal in number to the number of selectors for invariably and successively actuating said selectors from a normal position to a selected or unselected operated position and maintaining said selectors in said positions, an electro-magnet, means controlled by said e1ectro-magnet for preventing the movement of said selectors into a predetermined one of said operated positions and thereby initiate the movement thereof into the other of said operated positions in accordance with received code combinations of impulses, a recording mechanism, means employing said selectors in said selected operated position for selectively controlling said recording mechanism, and means for simultaneously returning all of said selectors from said operated positions to normal.

l. In a receiving selector mechanism, a plurality of selectors having normal, unselected operated and selected operated positions, an electromagnet responsive to received code combinations of impulses, means for invariably and successively moving said selectors from said normal position to either of said unselected or selected operated positions in synchronism with said code combinations and maintaining said selectors in said positions, means actuated by said electromagnet to cooperate with said selectors during the movement thereof to determine into which of said operated positions said selectors move, means for simultaneously returning all of said selectors to normal and means operative during the operation of said last mentioned means to prevent the engagement of said selectors and said electromagnetically actuated means.

5. In a selecting mechanism, a plurality of selectors each having a normal and a plurality of operated positions, an electro-magnet responsive to received code combinations, means operative for successively and normally actuating said selectors "from" said-normal position to I an unselected 'operated position in synchronism with said code combinations, said selector movement being substantially linear, means controlled by said ele'ctro-magnet for selectively interfering with the linear movement of said selectors and thereby producinga combined linearand pivoting movement-whereby said selectors are positioned into a; selectedoperated position, a recording mechanism and means operative following'the'select'ivepositioning of .said selectors-for pivoting such selectively positioned selectors to selectively control said recording mechanism.

6. In a selecting inechanism, a plurality of selectors each having a normal and a plurality of operated positions, an electro-magnet responsive to received code combinations, means normally operative for successively actuating said selectors from said normal position to'an unselected opera'ted position in synchronism with said code combinations, said selector movement being substantially linear, means controlled by said electro-magnet for selectively interfering with the linear movement of said selectors and thereby producing a combined linear and pivoting movementwhereby said selectors are positioned into a selected operated position, a recording mechanism, means operative following the selective positioning of said selectors for pivoting such selectively positioned selectors to selectively control said recording mechanism and means for simultaneously returning all of said selectors to normal.

7. In combination, a set of selectors, a set of permutation members having normal and selected positions, a set of latches normally latchv ing said permutation members in normal position, an electro-magnet, means employing said electro-magnet for successively and selectively positioning said selectors in accordance with received code combinations and means for simultaneously actuating said selectors in a selected position to trip associated of said latches whereby associated permutation members are selectively positioned.

8. In a selector mechanism, a series of selectors having a normal position and a plurality of operated positions, an electro-magnet responsive to received code combinations, a rotatable member for successively-actuating said selectors in synchronism with said combinations, said selectors normally being actuated from said normal position into a first one of said operated positions, a member selectively positioned from one of two positions to the other by said electromagnet, a first cam surface on each of said selectors adapted to cooperate with said electromagnetically operated member in one of its said positions to interfere with the movement of said selectors from said normal position into said first operated position and thereby initiate the movement of said selectors into a second one of said operated positions, a second cam surface on each of said selectors and a member adapted to cooperate therewith to complete the movement of said selectors having interfered movement into said second operated position.

9, In a selector, a plurality of selectors successively movable in synchronism with received code combinations of impulses from a normal position into one or the other of two operated positions, means for maintaining said selectors in said operated positions, an electro-magnet and means controlled by said electro-magnet to cooperate or not to cooperate with said selectors during the movements thereof to thereby deter mine into-which 'ofsaid operated positions said selectors arepositioned.

0110. In a selector, a'pluralityof selectors successively movable in synchronism with received code 'combinations of impulses from a normal position into one or the other oftwo operated positions, means fonmaintaining said selectors in .said' operatedpositions, an electro-magnet,

means controlled bysaid 'ele'ctro-magnet. to cooperate or nothto cooperate with said selectors during the" movements thereof to thereby determinetinto which" of said operated positions said selectors are positionedy'means iorsimultaneously returning all of said selectors to normal and means to prevent the cooperation of said selectors and said electro-magnetically controlled means during the return of said selectors to normal position. b

11. In a selector mechanism, a plurality of selectors having a normal and a plurality of operated positions, individual cams for successively actuating said selectors from a normal position into one or the otherof two operated positions in synchronism and in accordance with received code combinations, a transfer cam and means operated thereby after the positioning of said selector into one or the other of said 'two operated positions for simultaneously actuating said selectors in a predetermined one of said two operated positions into a third operated position, a recording mechanism and means operated by the simultaneous movement of said selectors into said thirdoperated position for selectively controlling said recording mechanism.

12. In a selector mechanism,'a series of selectors having a normal position and a plurality of operated positions, an electro-magnet responsive to received code combinations, a rotatable member for successively actuating said selectors in synchronism with said combinations, said selectors normally being actuated from said normal position into a first one of said operated positions, a member selectively positioned from one of two positions to the other by said electromagnet, a first cam surface on each of said, selectors adapted to cooperatewith said electromagnetically operated member in one of it's said positions to interfere with the movement of said selectors from said normal position into said first operated position and thereby initiate the movement of said selectors into a second one of said operated positions, a second cam surface on each of said selectors, a diverting member adapted to cooperate therewith to complete themovement of said selector having interfered movement into said second operatedposition and means to prevent jamming of said selectors and said diverting member.

13. In a selector, an electro-magnet responsive to received code combinations of impulses, an armature actuated in accordance with the energization and de-energization of said magnet, stops for limiting the movements of said arma-. ture, resilient means tending tomove said magnet relative to said armature and adjustable means for adjustingthe position of said magnet relative to said armature against the action of position in synchronism with said code combinations, said selector movement being substantially linear, means controlled by said electro-magnet for selectively interfering with the linear movement of said selectors and thereby producing a combined linear and pivoting movement whereby said selectors are positioned into a selected operated position, means toprevent overthrow of said selectors as they are being positioned into said selected operated position, a recording mechanism and means operative following the selective positioning of said selectors for pivoting such selectively positioned selectors to selectively control said recording mechanism.

15. In a selector, an electro-magnet responsive to received code combinations, an armature actuated from one of two positions to another in accordance with the energization and de-energization of said magnet, said armature having a plurality of arms and one of said arms being substantially longer than the others, a plurality of stops for said armature and means employing more than one of said stops for preventing inertia whip or fiexure of said longer arm when said 10 armature is being moved to one of its positions.

PAUL A. NOXON. JAMES I. MITCHELL. 

